This week I, Pipo, and the pups, are taking a selfie break in order to show you a different kid of selfie, actually a guest selfie from our yard.
Petcretary had her phone-camera handy so she tried to help this dude get a seflie for our blog…
It is a White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar…and this is the info on these furry creatures that she found:
White-Marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Size: 3.5 cm
Hosts: over 140 known hosts, including alder, apple, balsam fir, birch, and larch
Range: Eastern North America
Identifying Features:
- bright red head (with two long black “antennae”) and two red glands towards the end of the abdomen
- four thick tufts of white, grey, or yellow hair on the first four abdominal segments
- broad, yellow-bordered black stripe along the back
- fluffy tufts of whitish setae near their legs
- one long black hair pencil at the end of the abdomen
This snazzy species is found on trees in urban areas. They’re
indiscriminate eaters—they go as far as munching on decorative hawthorns
and acacias—and when populations soar, these cats can defoliate entire
trees.
Note: White-marked tussock moth caterpillars have irritating spines that can cause rashes, so handle them with care (and gloves!).
Raising White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillars
Seeing as these guys aren’t picky eaters, they aren’t too difficult
to raise. Just create a comfortable environment for them, give them
plenty of food, and let them grow!
Quite the Cocoon!
White-Marked Tussock Moths don’t have wings. They spend their entire
(if brief) adult lives on the cocoon—mating, laying eggs, and dying all
in the same spot. Luckily, they (and their future larvae) have some
protection; before pupation, the White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
weaves its venomous setae into its cocoon, providing a defensive shelter
both for itself and its offspring.
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Photo and info credit: https://owlcation.com/stem/furry-caterpillarhttps://owlcation.com/stem/furry-caterpillar |
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That caterpillar is amazing, it’s a pawsome selfie ! The cards are beautiful, and we thank you very much for Zorro’s birthday card ! Purrs
Lulu: “Wow, that caterpillar is almost as fuzzy as my tail! Almost!”